Posted by Kim (207.115.62.77) on July 04, 1999 at 20:39:33:
In Reply to: Help :( posted by Kim on July 04, 1999 at 18:49:50:
Kim,
There are so many variations of Cluster Headaches, it's hard to tell after a short period of 4 months if it is clusters or migraines. Cluster Headaches come in groups (some get several a day, some 1 or 2) and maybe a couple of days of no pain and then another group of them. They go on for maybe a few weeks or months and then disappear for a year or two. There is no real schedule or rhyme or reason for the timing, except for maybe seasonal triggers that some get. But my basic point is, I guess, that if you are getting pain on one side that comes and goes and is severe, you need something a lot stronger than tylenol (that doesn't even get rid of basic headaches for me). I know you hate to medicate too much, but you definitely need something to head off or relieve your Cluster or migraine. I use Imitrex, as do a large percentage of the CH folks. There are also preventative drugs like
Verapamil or Depakote that works for many of us. You can read the board and see what looks good to you. But please don't suffer, or get hooked on pain killers. I suggest you ask your doctor about some of the drugs you see mentioned here. Take him a copy of some of the posts. There is help to get you out of your cycle. Don't be shy about telling your doctor what you need. Life is a bummer when you are in constant pain. I hope you can get help soon.
Steve W